The lake water became too rough for the barge that was set to launch the light show, Sarnia police said, noting the fireworks have been rescheduled for 10 p.m. Tuesday along Sarnia's downtown waterfront.

Typically festivities are split between Canatara and Centennial parks, but organizers crammed everything into Canatara this year after Centennial was fenced off in April because of asbestos and lead-positive soil samples.

The bands scheduled to play – Steadfast, D.O. Gibson, Rumblefish and 3rd Wave – were still performing in Canatara Park Monday, police said. In the past, the evening's musical acts have been scheduled in Centennial Park.

Besides the weather woes, less elbow room in Canatara for Canada's 146th birthday bash didn't stop people from enjoying the party.

Paul Jackson, 68, has been coming to the July 1 celebrations in Sarnia since he was a boy.

"I think every year we still look forward to it," he said Monday, with his wife Terri.

The Sarnia pair, with their family from London visiting, were among tens of thousands packed in the park.

Ethnic food booths, face painting, music, and balloons were returning mainstays for a sea of red and white-garbed people.

“It's great today,” said Terri Jackson, 65.

“The weather's great, the crowds are great, as usual, lots of music and the parade, we love that.”

For Terri-lyn Earle, Canada Day is one of her favourite events of the year.

"I went to school in the United States and I was always a little bit jealous of how much American pride they have," the Sarnia woman said. "I love to see this: I love to see everybody in their red and white and everybody just supporting Canada."

The enthusiasm and magnitude of Sarnia's celebration wasn't lost on Gerard Sauvé, visiting the area with his girlfriend, Penny Willis, from Vancouver.

"I get the impression that there's a real American/Canadian spirit here that we don't' get in the west as much ...," said Sauvé, 49.

"It seems to be a more spirited kind of day. It's much bigger than what we have at home."

Shuttle buses for $1 ran to and from the park all day, and Sarnia police brought back their "Tweet-a-Thon:" posting police activity and Canada Day updates on Twitter at @SarniaPolice.

Jonah Earle, 8, smiles as he watches the Canada Day parade pass along Christina Street in Sarnia, Monday. The Sarnia youngster was among thousands of people enjoying Canada's 146th birthday bash. TYLER KULA/ THE OBSERVER/ QMI AGENCY